On the November 2nd state ballot is an oil, tobacco and alcohol industry-sponsored attempt to make it harder for California cities, counties and the state to impose various fees on companies. The nonpartisan state Legislative Analyst’s Office states that Proposition 26 would affect dozens of types of fees, mostly ones that "address health, environmental or other societal or economic concerns."

The ballot measure takes aim at, for example, the hazardous-materials fee imposed on businesses that use such materials. The revenue helps pay for cleaning up hazardous-waste sites.

If voters pass Proposition 26, it would have the unfortunate effect of making it more difficult for cities, counties and the state to raise revenue in an appropriate way to deal with significant public problems.